COUNCIL chiefs are urging residents to make sure they don't lose their right to vote in next year's local and general elections.

Individual Electoral Registration (IER) means all eligible voters must now register as an individual - household registrations are no longer available.

Council officers are now beginning canvassing to make sure everyone completes their new registration forms, which were sent out a few weeks ago.

From November 1-14, electoral canvassers will be visiting households where electors have not yet responded to provide assistance and advice to help them complete and return the forms sent earlier this year.

By law, even if people do not intend to vote, they must now be registered. Anyone who has not completed the new forms is being encouraged to do so. To make it as simple as possible, they can go online to register at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Evidence of identity such as a national Insurance number and date of birth will be needed and completing the form will only take a few minutes. Alternatively people can still complete and return the paper forms they were sent.

Voters who want more information about IER or need replacement forms should call 0161 912 4259 can email elections.office@trafford.gov.uk.